Couple Gives Back to Their Alma Mater

PRINCESS ANNE, MD - (December 6, 2010)Two retired educators who are University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduates are starting The Loretta and Daniel Savoy Fund for Human Ecology to help future students defray tuition bills.

The $10,000 gift from the Salisbury couple is one of the latest donations toward UMES' $14 million campaign to raise money for scholarships.

Loretta Savoy graduated from UMES in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in home economics. She spent 37 years working in public schools, first as a home economics and child development teacher, then as Wicomico County schools' food and nutrition supervisor.

"As alumni of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, we were the first in our immediate families to pursue a college education," Loretta Savoy said. "We received much assistance and care while attending. Our goal is to continue to give to the educational institution that gave much to us."

She credits her high school home economics teacher, who was a Maryland State alumna, with encouraging her to attend college. "She was such a great role model for me at that time in my life," said Loretta Savoy, who grew up in Annapolis.

Her husband, Daniel, is a 1967 graduate who earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture when UMES was known as Maryland State College. Daniel Savoy spent four decades as an educator in Anne Arundel and Wicomico counties. He was principal of James M. Bennett High School in Salisbury from 1986 to 1997 and spent the last 10 years of his career as Wicomico County's science coordinator.

The couple belongs to Dr. Thelma B. Thompson's "President's Club," a group whose members make annual $1,000 contributions to help with institutional needs like scholarships. The Savoys recently decided to do more to help future generations of students get a college education that served them well as adults.

"We know it is important to provide assistance to students who might otherwise be unable to pursue their educational aspirations," said Daniel Savoy, an Upper Marlboro, Md., native.

The fund, once fully endowed, will provide need-based financial aid for students pursuing degrees in child development, dietetics, nutrition, family and consumer sciences, family and consumer sciences education and fashion merchandising-areas within the Department of Human Ecology.

The Savoys' generosity "will go a long way in providing much needed financial support for (our) students," said Dr. Nina Bennett, chair of UMES' Department of Human Ecology. "This scholarship will be the difference between a student deciding to drop out because of finances or staying in school and graduating."

"It is my sincere hope," Dr. Bennett said, "that other alumni will see the significant impact of this financial gift and choose to follow the example set by Daniel and Loretta Savoy."

The Savoy Fund is accepting additional gifts, according to Kimberly Dumpson J.D., the university's director of alumni affairs and planned giving. UMES is in the final year of a seven-year campaign to raise student scholarship funds. To make a gift to this fund or the campaign, contact Dumpson at 410-651-7686 or by email at kdumpson@umes.edu.